Should You Invest in Company Culture?

Even if it’s become a buzzword thrown around more often than “synergy”, company culture is a lot more than something you read in a cover letter. It’s something that embodies the values that shape a business and who works there. It engages employees when nobody’s looking, helping a business work faster and smarter. I recently read a blog post that shared some signs that you need to invest in your company culture. It’s well worth a read:

Fear, rather than fun, drives people: Fear, as Frank Herbert once wrote in the science fiction classic “Dune”, is the mind-killer. It’s also the culture killer. It causes hesitation, stresses out your employees and holds everybody back from reaching their full potential. Fear can be driven by more than just a bad boss: it can also be caused by unclear communication, unrealistic expectations, critical conversations and fears about saying what needs to be said. If this describes your company, then you need to have conversations with leaders about how to incorporate fun and better morale.

High turnover: Turnover varies industry to industry, and voluntary turnover can actually be a good thing. Yet if you see your most talented people consistently leaving, then that’s a big red flag. The best way to attract (and hold onto) talent is by engaging talent. By identifying and creating a company culture, you’ll be able to hire the right employees from the get-go and help them thrive.

Not enough focus on company values: Make sure everybody knows the mission and values of your company, and that they’re proudly displayed in the office. Employees who know the value and mission of the company and make a connection to them are dedicated to accomplishing that mission.

Limited social interaction: If the only place where people are talking is the water-cooler, that’s not fun for anybody. We’re a social species that craves relationships, and thrive when we find a sense of belonging. Create opportunities for your employees to connect both in- and outside of work, including team-based challenges, company happy hours or employee appreciation outings/events, which help strengthen camaraderie.